Wespi de Meuron Romeo Architects . photos: © Hannes Henz . + archello
The building site – part of a former vineyard – lies on a hillside above Lake Lugano, above an older property from the beginning of the last century. Larger speculative building projects above and lateral of the parcel were already known at the time of project planning and have decisively influenced the architectural project. Within the chaotic urban sprawl of the old vineyard, this project should make the greatest possible restraint within the newly emerging houses and become more a retaining wall, rather than one more other new building,itshould make more part of the vineyard than the settlement.
_
The central courtyard, protected from the view from the neighbourhood, is open to the lake, the view and the sun. The mostly windowless closed volumes are covered with a green roof and are only visible from the valley. Five other courtyards generate atmospheric light into the introverted bedrooms, entrée and kitchen. The living room, on the other hand, is open to the outside courtyard and to the view. The volumes are divided into day and night rooms: on the northwestthere are living-dining room and kitchen, on the opposite side there are the bedrooms, connected through a corridor, whereare alsothe entranceandthe bathrooms. The natural stones from the former terrace walls of the vineyard have been reused for the valley side façade to link the building with the historic culture of Morcote.